Tox Digital: revised

2026-02-28T00:01:37Z

revised

ImportMaster: robot: Add missing article in Category:Mahabharata

2021-12-14T10:40:01Z

robot: Add missing article in Category:Mahabharata

New page

{{for|the film|Samhita (film)}}
{{Hindu scriptures}}
'''Samhita''' literally means "put together, joined, union",<ref name=monier/> a "collection",<ref>{{cite book|author=Gavin D. Flood|title=An Introduction to Hinduism|url=https://archive.org/details/introductiontohi0000floo |url-access=registration|year=1996|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-0-521-43878-0|pages=[https://archive.org/details/introductiontohi0000floo/page/37 37] }}</ref> and "a methodically, rule-based combination of text or verses".<ref name=monier>[http://www.ibiblio.org/sripedia/ebooks/mw/1100/mw__1156.html saMhita], Monier-Williams' Sanskrit-English Dictionary, Oxford University Press, page 1123</ref> ''Samhita'' also refers to the most ancient layer of text in the [[Veda]]s, consisting of [[mantra]]s, hymns, prayers, [[Litany|litanies]] and [[benediction]]s.<ref name=jl>Lochtefeld, James G. "Samhita" in The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Vol. 2: N-Z, Rosen Publishing, {{ISBN|0-8239-2287-1}}, page 587</ref>

Parts of ''Vedic Samhitas'' constitute the oldest living part of [[Hinduism|Hindu]] tradition.<ref name=jl/>

==Etymology==
''Samhita'' is a Sanskrit word from the prefix sam (सम्), 'together', and hita (हित), the past participle of the verbal root dha (धा) 'put'.<ref>[https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Samhita Samhita], Merriam Webster Etymology (2008), Quote: "Sanskrit samhita, literally, combination, from sam together + hita, past participle of dadhati he puts, places"</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Surendranath Dasgupta|title=A History of Indian Philosophy|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PoaMFmS1_lEC&pg=PA12 |year=1922|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |isbn=978-81-208-0412-8|page=12}}</ref> The combination word thus means "put together, joined, compose, arrangement, place together, union", something that agrees or conforms to a principle such as dharma or in accordance with justice, and "connected with".<ref name=monier/> ''Sanhita'' (संहिता) in the feminine form of the past participle, is used as a noun meaning "conjunction, connection, union", "combination of letters according to euphonic rules", or "any methodically arranged collection of texts or verses".<ref name=monier/><ref>{{cite book|author=Friedrich Max Müller|title=The Sacred Books of the East|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=64A5AQAAMAAJ |year=1891|publisher=Clarendon Press|page=xlii}}</ref>

==Discussion==
In the most generic context, a ''Samhita'' may refer to any methodical collection of text or verses: Any [[shastra]], [[sutra]], or Sanskrit Epic, along with Vedic texts, might be referred to as a ''Samhita''.<ref name=monier/>

''Samhita'', however, in contemporary literature typically implies the earliest, archaic part of the Vedas. These contain [[mantra]]s – sacred sounds with or without literal meaning, as well as panegyrics, prayers, [[Litany|litanies]] and [[benediction]]s petitioning nature or Vedic deities.<ref name=jl/> Vedic Samhita refer to mathematically precise metrical archaic text of each of the ''[[Vedas]]'' ([[Rigveda]], [[Yajurveda]], [[Samaveda]] and [[Atharvaveda]]).

The [[Vedas]] have been divided into four styles of texts – the Samhitas (mantras and benedictions), the [[Brahmanas]] (text on rituals, ceremonies, sacrifices and symbolic-sacrifices), the [[Aranyakas]] (commentaries on rituals, ceremonies and sacrifices), and the [[Upanishads]] (text discussing meditation, philosophy and spiritual knowledge).<ref name="ab"/><ref>{{cite book |first=Jan |last=Gonda |year=1975 |title=Vedic Literature |volume=Saṃhitās and Brāhmaṇas |publisher=Otto Harrassowitz Verlag |isbn=978-3447016032}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |first=Gavin |last=Flood |year=1996 |title=An Introduction to Hinduism |pages=35–37 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0521438780}}</ref> The Samhitas are sometimes identified as ''karma-khanda'' (कर्म खण्ड, action / ritual-related section), while the Upanishads are identified as ''jnana-khanda'' (ज्ञान खण्ड, knowledge / spirituality-related section).<ref name=ab>{{cite book |first=A. |last=Bhattacharya |year=2006 |title=Hindu Dharma: Introduction to scriptures and theology |pages=8–14 |isbn=978-0595384556}}</ref><ref>See {{Google books |3uwDAAAAMAAJ |Shankara's Introduction}} to ''Brihad Aranyaka Upanishad'', pages 1–5: {{quote| The Vedas are divided in two parts: The first is the ''karma-khanda'', the ceremonial part (also [called] ''purva-khanda'') and treats on ceremonies; the second part is the ''jnana khanda'', the part which contains knowledge (also named ''uttara-khanda'', or 'posterior part') and unfolds the knowledge of Brahma or the universal soul.|source=translation by Edward Roer}}</ref> The [[Aranyaka]]s and [[Brahmana]]s are variously classified, sometimes as the ceremonial ''karma-khanda'', other times (or parts of them) as the ''jnana-khanda''.

The ''Vedic Samhitas'' were chanted during ceremonies and rituals, and parts of it remain the oldest living part of [[Hinduism|Hindu]] tradition.<ref name=jl/>

A collective study of Vedas and later text suggests that the compendium of ''Samhitas'' and associated Vedic texts were far larger than currently available. However, most have been lost at some point or over a period of Indian history.<ref>{{cite book |first=Stephen |last=Knapp |year=2005 |title=The Heart of Hinduism: The eastern path to freedom, empowerment, and illumination |pages=9–16 |isbn=978-0595350759}}</ref>

==Examples==

===Rig veda===
The [[Gayatri mantra]] is among the famous Hindu [[mantra]]s. It is found in Rig Veda Samhita.<ref name=mmwpage17>Monier Monier-Williams (1893), Indian Wisdom, Luzac & Co., London, page 17</ref>
<blockquote>:ॐ भूर्भुवस्वः। तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यम्। भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि। धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात्

– Rig Veda 3.62.10<ref name="mmwpage17" /><ref>{{cite book |first=Edward F. |last=Crangle |year=1994 |title=The Origin and Development of Early Indian Contemplative Practices |page=124 |publisher=Otto Harrassowitz Verlag |isbn=978-3447034791}}</ref></blockquote>

===Sama veda===
[[Albrecht Weber|Weber]] noted that the ''Samhita'' of [[Samaveda]] is an anthology taken from the Rigveda-Samhita.<ref>{{cite book |first=Albrecht |last=Weber |title=History of Indian Literature |page=63 |postscript=,}} {{Google books|8nsoAAAAYAAJ|Samaveda-Samhita}}</ref> The difference is in the refinement and application of arts such as melody, meters of music, and literary composition.<ref name=fstaal>{{cite book |first=Frits |last=Staal |year=2009 |title=Discovering the Vedas: Origins, mantras, rituals, insights |pages=107–115 |publisher=Penguin Books |isbn=978-0143099864}}</ref> Thus, the root hymn that later became the ''Rathantara'' (Excellent Chariot) mantra chant is found in both Rigveda and Samaveda Samhitas, as follows,<ref name=fstaal/>

:''Rigveda form'':
:Abhi tva sura nonumo 'dugdha iva dhenavah | isanam asya jagatah svardrsam isanam indra tasthusah

:''Samaveda form'':
:obhitvasuranonumova | adugdha iva dhenava isanamasya jagatassuvardrsam | isanama indra | ta sthu sa o va ha u va | as ||

:''Translation'' (same for both):<ref name=fstaal/>
:We cry out for you, hero, like unmilked cows to the lord of the living world !
:To the lord of the unmoving world who eye is the sun, O [[Indra]] !

===Yajur veda===
The hymns in Section 4.1.5 of the Yajurveda ''Samhita'', dedicated to several ancient deities, state:<ref name=hpa/><ref name=edward>Edward F Crangle (1994), The Origin and Development of Early Indian Contemplative Practices, Otto Harrassowitz Verlag, {{ISBN|978-3447034791}}, page 32</ref>

{{Quote|
May the [[Vasu]]s prepare you, with the [[gayatri]] meter, you are the earth, 
May the [[Rudra]]s prepare you, with the [[tristubh]] meter, you are the sky. 
May the [[Aditya]]s prepare you, with the jagati meter, you are the heaven. 
May the [[Visvedevas]], common to all men, prepare you, with the [[Anuṣṭubh|anustubh]] meter, you are the directions. 
You are the unchanging direction, make unchanging in me children, abundance of wealth, abundance of cattle, abundance of heroism.
|[[Taittiriya]] Samhita|4.1.5<ref name=hpa>Harvey P. Alper (2012), Understanding Mantras, Motilal Banarsidass, {{ISBN|978-8120807464}}, pages 75-76</ref>}}

===Atharva veda===
A hymn in the Atharva Veda Samhita, for example, is a woman's petition to deity [[Agni]], to attract suitors and a good husband.<ref>[[s:Atharva-Veda Samhita/Book II/Hymn 36|Atharva Veda Samhita, Book 2 Hymn 36: To get a husband for a woman]], Translator: [[William Dwight Whitney]], Atharva Veda Samhita Series - Harvard University (Editor: [[Charles Rockwell Lanman]]), Wikisource</ref><ref name=rp/>
{{Quote|
May O Agni!, a suitor after this girl's heart come to her, 
May he come to this maiden with fortune! 
May she be agreeable to suitors, charming at festivals, promptly obtain happiness through a husband!
|[[Atharvaveda|Atharva Veda]]|2.36<ref name=rp>Rajbali Pandey (1969), Hindu Saṁskāras: Socio-religious Study of the Hindu Sacraments, Motilal Banarsidass, {{ISBN|978-8120803961}}, pages 162-163</ref>}}

===Post-Vedic Samhitas===
There are many well known books written in the post-vedic period, also known as samhitas, because the word “samhita” also means “systematic compilation of knowledge”. Vedic samhitas should not be confused with these samhitas of post-vedic period.

Some post-vedic Samhitas are –
*[[Ashtavakra Gita]]
*[[Bhrigu Samhita]]
*[[Charaka Samhita]]
*[[Deva Samhita]]
*[[Garga (sage)|Garga Samhita]]
*[[Gheranda Samhita]]
*[[Kashyap Samhita]]
*[[Shiva Samhita]]
*[[Brihat Samhita]]
*[[Sushruta Samhita]] (a treatise on food and medicine)
*[[Yogayajnavalkya Samhita]].

==See also==
*[[Aranyaka]]
*[[Brahmana]]
*[[Upanishad]]
*[[Veda]]

==References==
{{reflist|25em}}

==External links==
*[http://www.carakasamhitaonline.com] online edition in Sanskrit and English
*[http://www.sanskritweb.net/rigveda/rv01-001.pdf Rigveda Samhita] First Mandala, (in Sanskrit)
*[[s:Atharva-Veda Samhita|Atharva-Veda Samhita]] English translation of first 8 books of the Atharva Veda Samhita, (Editor: [[Charles Rockwell Lanman]]), Wikisource
*[http://www.justforkidsonly.com/truth/?p=95#more-95 Understanding of the Hinduism: Hindu Scripture VI], Just for Kids

[[Category:Hindu texts]]
[[Category:Sanskrit words and phrases]]

Samhita - Revision history

Tox Digital: revised

ImportMaster: robot: Add missing article in Category:Mahabharata